Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus

Abstract

A drag reducing apparatus is provided for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes an exterior cover that forms a drag reducing shape when the apparatus is fully extended. The apparatus can be retracted to a space saving configuration. A scissors linkage extends and retracts the apparatus. The scissors linkage can be motorized, and the motor can extend the scissors linkage by turning in a first direction and can retract the apparatus by turning in a second direction. The scissors linkage can hold the exterior cover taut when the apparatus is fully extended. The scissors linkage can support the exterior cover at intermediate locations when the apparatus is not fully extended. The apparatus can include support linkages and intermediate moveable members that support the exterior cover and define the drag reducing shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A drag reducing apparatus comprising:
 a scissors linkage; and 
 a tension member routed through the scissors linkage; 
 wherein when the tension member is driven in a first direction the scissors linkage extends; 
 wherein when the tension member is driven in a second direction the scissors linkage retracts. 
 
     
     
       2. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive pulley, wherein the tension member is configured to be driven in the first direction and in the second direction by the drive pulley. 
     
     
       3. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a drive motor configured to rotate the drive pulley in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, wherein the drive pulley is configured to drive the tension member in the first direction when the drive motor rotates in the first rotational direction, and wherein the drive pulley is configured to drive the tension member in the second direction when the drive motor rotates in the second rotational direction. 
     
     
       4. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an aerodynamic surface configured to reduce aerodynamic drag when deployed by the scissors linkage when driven in the first direction and further configured to stow when retracted by the scissors linkage when driven in the second direction. 
     
     
       5. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aerodynamic surface includes a tension carrying member configured to be pulled taut by the scissors linkage when deployed by the scissors linkage when driven in the first direction. 
     
     
       6. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a moveable member attached to the tension carrying member and further connected to the scissors linkage, wherein the moveable member is configured to pull against the tension carrying member when the drag reducing apparatus is fully extended. 
     
     
       7. A drag reducing apparatus configured for reducing aerodynamic drag on a vehicle including a cargo hold, the drag reducing apparatus comprising:
 a deployment apparatus moveable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration, at least a portion of the deployment apparatus configured to be positioned lower than the cargo hold at least when the deployment apparatus is at the stowed configuration; and 
 an aerodynamic surface configured to reduce aerodynamic drag upon being deployed by the deployment apparatus moving to the deployed configuration. 
 
     
     
       8. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the deployment apparatus includes a linkage. 
     
     
       9. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the linkage is a scissors linkage. 
     
     
       10. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the linkage is configured to be entirely positioned lower than the cargo hold at least when the deployment apparatus is at the stowed configuration. 
     
     
       11. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the aerodynamic surface is configured to extend behind the vehicle at least upon being deployed by the deployment apparatus moving to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       12. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the deployment apparatus includes a tension member. 
     
     
       13. A drag reducing apparatus configured for reducing aerodynamic drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing apparatus comprising:
 a deployment apparatus moveable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration; 
 at least one moveable intermediate member supported by the deployment apparatus; and 
 an aerodynamic surface configured to reduce aerodynamic drag upon being deployed by the deployment apparatus moving to the deployed configuration, at least a portion of the aerodynamic surface drawn toward the deployment apparatus by the at least one moveable intermediate member when the deployment apparatus is moved from the deployed configuration toward the stowed configuration. 
 
     
     
       14. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one moveable intermediate member includes a rod. 
     
     
       15. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one moveable intermediate member includes a strap. 
     
     
       16. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the deployment apparatus includes a linkage that raises the at least one moveable intermediate member when the deployment apparatus is between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration. 
     
     
       17. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the linkage is a scissors linkage. 
     
     
       18. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one moveable intermediate member is supported by an interior joint of the scissors linkage. 
     
     
       19. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one moveable intermediate member is supported by a vertex joint of the scissors linkage. 
     
     
       20. The drag reducing apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the deployment apparatus includes a linkage that draws the at least one moveable intermediate member toward the linkage when the deployment apparatus is retracted from the deployed configuration.